Has good size and great work ethic. Makes room for himself thanks to his bulk and strength; he's effective along the wall. Is tenacious on the forecheck and an excellent team player. Can score goals in bunches.

Flaws:

Is a bit too inconsistent in the scoring department and doesn't shoot the puck nearly enough to produce better numbers. Can also improve his game-to-game consistency in most facets of the game.

Career Potential:

Industrious, versatile winger.

Movements & Injuries

2013

5/02/2013

Missed the last 9 regular season games (knee injury).

4/09/2013

Knee injury, day-to-day.

2012

4/07/2012

Missed 7 games (lower body injury).

3/23/2012

Lower body injury, day-to-day.

2011

7/01/2011

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Washington Capitals to a four-year contract.

3/19/2011

Missed 2 games (lower body injury).

3/15/2011

Lower body injury, day-to-day.

2010

3/30/2010

Missed 4 games (upper body injury).

3/23/2010

Upper body injury, day-to-day.

1/30/2010

Missed 3 games (groin).

1/22/2010

Groin, day-to-day.

1/11/2010

Missed 2 games (lower body injury).

1/07/2010

Lower body injury, day-to-day.

2009

10/10/2009

Missed 2 games (groin).

9/30/2009

Groin, sidelined indefinitely.

7/01/2009

Re-signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Nashville Predators to a two-year contract.

2008

11/14/2008

Missed 2 games (head injury).

11/08/2008

Head injury, day-to-day.

7/14/2008

Signed as an unrestricted free agent by the Nashville Predators to a one-year contract.

2007

9/19/2007

Assigned to Houston (AHL).

7/16/2007

Re-signed as a restricted free agent by the Minnesota Wild to a one-year contract.

Capitals right wing Joel Ward recorded two assists in Saturday's victory versus New Jersey.

sportsnetwork.com

Impact

Ward now has 15 points through 26 games this season and should be picked up in all leagues.

Capitals right wing Joel Ward scored on his one shot on goal against the Blues. | 11/16/2014 10:13 AM

News

Capitals right wing Joel Ward scored on his one shot on goal against the Blues.

sportsnetwork.com

Impact

Ward now has eight goals and two assists this season. Those are decent numbers for the top-line forward in Washington, but Ward has an even rating and two penalty minutes.

Washington right wing Joel Ward recorded two goals and four shots on goal in Saturday's victory over Calgary. | 10/26/2014 10:11 AM

News

Washington right wing Joel Ward recorded two goals and four shots on goal in Saturday's victory over Calgary.

sportsnetwork.com

Impact

He now has four goals on the season, and if owners left Ward undrafted, he is a viable waiver candidate, for everyone in need of a goal-scorer.

Joel Ward leads Canada in points at WHC | 05/20/2014 12:15 PM

News

Joel Ward recorded two goals and added an assist in Canada's 3-2 win against Norway on Tuesday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

He leads Canada with nine points in seven games heading into the quarterfinals of the 2014 World Hockey Championship. Ward is also tied with Cody Hodgson for first on the team in goals with six.

Joel Ward scores twice as Canada downs SVK | 05/10/2014 4:18 PM

News

Joel Ward scored a pair of goals in Canada's 4-1 win over Slovakia in World Championship action on Saturday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Vancouver blueliner Jason Garrison picked up two assists in the contest, while Cody Hodgson and Kevin Bieksa had the other markers. Edmonton goalie Ben Scrivens stopped 23 shots for the victory.

Joel Ward calls WHC his 'Olympics' | 05/08/2014 4:31 PM

News

Joel Ward is excited to represent Canada at the 2014 IIHF World Hockey Championship.

Washington Post

Impact

"It's my Olympics," he said last month after the regular season ended. "It's my only chance to wear a Canada jersey. It's pretty cool to represent your country." Ward produced 24 goals and 49 points in 82 games this past season.

Ward scored in his fourth straight game and he now has 22 goals with 20 assists in 71 games this season. He is red-hot now for the Capitals. This is his best season in the NHL so far in his career. Rookie Evgeni Kuznetsov and Nicklas Backstrom assisted Ward's goal.

Caps' Joel Ward hits the 20-goal plateau | 03/17/2014 10:42 AM

News

Joel Ward notched a goal and an assist in Washington's 4-2 win over Toronto on Sunday afternoon.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

His 20th marker of the season came on a Washington power play during the first period and it held up as the game winner. It's the first time that he has hit the 20-goal plateau in his career. Ward also has a career high of 40 points in 69 contests.

Jpel Ward has been great since the Olympics | 03/04/2014 7:34 PM

News

Jpel Ward has been quite productive out of the gate since the Olympic break, scoring a game-winning goal, two assists and building a plus five rating over the three games.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Over the course of his career, Ward has finished the season stronger than he's started it. Through 62 games this season, the winger has 18 goals and 36 points.

Joel Ward powers Caps past Red Wings | 02/02/2014 3:42 PM

News

Joel Ward led the Capitals past the Red Wings on Sunday with two goals and an assist in Washington's thrilling 6-5 overtime win.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Ward now has 33 points in 56 games. It was a great fantasy day for several Caps, Nicklas Backstrom had two assists, Jason Chimera had a goal and two assists, John Carlson had a goal and an assist while Alex Ovechkin scored the OT winner.

Joel Ward scores in loss to Columbus | 01/30/2014 11:12 PM

News

Joel Ward was one of two goal scorers for the Capitals in Thursday's 5-3 loss to Columbus.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Ward has quietly tallied 14 times on the season, moving him to within three of his career best of 17, which he totalled with the Predators in 2008-09. Eric Fehr was the other goal scorer for the Capitals in defeat.

Marcus Johansson and Alex Ovechkin picked up assists on Ward's 13th marker of the season. He has notched two goals and two assists in his last five games.

Joel Ward scores lone goal in Caps loss | 12/30/2013 10:22 PM

News

Joel Ward was the lone goal scorer for the Capitals in a 3-1 loss to Ottawa on Monday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

The goal was the 12th of the season for Ward and it opened the scoring, however the Senators scored three unanswered markers from that point forward. Martin Erat and Jason Chimera drew assists on the tally.

Joel Ward loves playing the Flyers | 12/16/2013 10:19 AM

News

Joel Ward had two assists on Sunday in the Capitals 5-4 shootout win over Philadelphia.

CSN Washington

Impact

Ward loves playing the Flyers this season as he now has three goals and five points in two games after firing a hat trick on November 1. Ward has 10 goals and 20 points in 33 games this season. Fantasy owners should be looking forward to the next match up on Tuesday as the two teams play in Philadelphia.

Joel Ward reaches double figures in goals | 12/14/2013 11:18 AM

News

Joel Ward's goal Friday night was his 10th of the season, giving him the double-digit level in goals for the fourth time in his NHL career and the first time since 2010-11 when he was a member of the Nashville Predators.

NHL.com

Impact

Only superstar Alex Ovechkin (26) has more goals than Ward among Washington skaters.

Joel Ward scores Caps' only goal against Avs | 11/10/2013 11:29 PM

News

Joel Ward scored for the Washington Capitals in their 4-1 loss to the Avalanche in Colorado Sunday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

It was Ward's eighth goal of the season.

Joel Ward scores Caps' only goal against Avs | 11/10/2013 11:28 PM

News

Joel Ward scored for the Washington Capitals in their 4-1 loss to the Avalanche in Colorado Sunday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

It was Ward's eighth goal of the season.

Joel Ward scores seventh of the season | 11/10/2013 11:37 AM

News

Joel Ward scored his seventh goal of the season Saturday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

It was his first since he potted a hat trick on November 1 and he now has 11 points in 17 games. Ward is worth picking up in very deep leagues only as his career high is 17 goals and 35 points.

Ward scores a hat trick in Caps' blowout win | 11/01/2013 11:37 PM

News

Joel Ward had a hat trick in Washington's 7-0 win over the Philadelphia Flyers on Friday.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Ward has six goals and eight points in his last six games. He's worth grabbing while he's hot, but we don't expect him to perform anywhere near this level for long. To put his recent performances in perspective, his career-highs are 17 goals and 35 points.

Joel Ward sees slot time on the power play | 10/20/2013 11:08 AM

News

Joel Ward found himself playing in the slot during the Caps first power play.

Washington Post

Impact

The Capitals used Ward with Marcus Johansson down low as Nicklas Backstrom filled out the first line with Alex Ovechkin and Mike Green on the point. This will help Ward's fantasy value as playing with Ovechkin, Green and Backstrom cannot hurt.

Joel Ward gets a power-play goal Monday | 10/15/2013 9:44 AM

News

Joel Ward netted a power-play goal in Washington's 4-2 win Monday.

CSN Washington

Impact

It was Ward's first goal of the season. He isn't likely to get much more than 20-30 points in 2013-14.

Joel Ward (flu) practices Friday | 09/27/2013 1:10 PM

News

Joel Ward (flu) took part in Friday's practice.

Washington Post

Impact

Ward missed Thursday's morning skate due to the illness. He should be fine for the start of the 2013-14 campaign.

Joel Ward (flu) sits out Thursday's practice | 09/26/2013 1:25 PM

News

Joel Ward didn't skate Thursday because of the flu.

Washington Post

Impact

He was on the ice Wednesday and should be considered as day-to-day. Ward recorded eight goals and 20 points in 39 games last season.

Joel Ward's return welcomed by Adam Oates | 05/12/2013 12:24 PM

News

The Washington Capitals take a 3-2 lead into New York today in their best-of-seven, opening-round playoff series against the Rangers, and coach Adam Oates thinks it's somewhat attributable to the hard play of right winger Joel Ward.

Washington Post

Impact

"It's been great to have him back. We missed him when he was hurt," Oates said of Ward's impact since he returned from a left knee contusion at the start of the playoffs. "That line with (Mathieu) Perreault and (Jason) Chimera," Oates continued, "they've really, the last 10 games of the year and so far in the series, they've really upgraded their game and really helped us." The third line of Chimera, Perreault and either Ward or, earlier, Eric Fehr has been the Capls' most effective unit through the first five games of this Eastern Conference quarterfinal series. They've done everything from creating sustained offensive zone pressure and establishing a hard-hitting forecheck to pitching in on the scoresheet and making smart plays in their own end. The current trio has combined for three goals and eight assists in the playoffs and they've been on the ice for only one even-strength goal against.

Joel Ward (knee) is getting close | 05/01/2013 3:32 PM

News

Joel Ward said Wednesday that his knee is almost 100 percent.

Washington Post

Impact

"It's a little discomfort but it's not too bad, actually, it's actually come down a long way," he said. "I'm hoping to get in if I can. I feel confident to get out there and do work. From a couple days ago to now it's been a huge drastic change, it's been a lot easier. I'm almost pretty close to pain free, which is good. I'm just a little bit - I got a small little percentage I've got to hunker down to get out, but other than that I've had a big drastic change." Ward skated in a third consecutive practice Wednesday and he might be ready to play in Thursday's playoff opener.

Joel Ward should be in the lineup on Thursday | 04/30/2013 1:20 PM

News

Washington Capitals coach Adam Oates expects Joel Ward (knee) to be in the lineup for Thursday's Game 1.

Ken Wiebe on Twitter

Impact

Ward missed the Caps' final nine regular-season games with a knee contusion but should be in the lineup Thursday as long as there are no setbacks between now and then. Ward is an important part of the Caps' depth but offers no real fantasy value.

Joel Ward (knee) may be ready for Game 1 | 04/29/2013 1:09 PM

News

Joel Ward (knee) is hoping to be ready to play in Game 1 against the New York Rangers on Thursday night.

Washington Post

Impact

"Obviously we'll see how these next couple days go," Ward said. "I think my mind feels pretty good, it's just I want to get in with the guys and kind of muck it up a little bit. I think the next couple days will be a pretty good test." He participated in some drills Monday on the fourth line. He was absent from the Capitals' last nine games of the regular season with a knee contusion which he sustained after blocking a shot.

Joel Ward will not play Saturday | 04/27/2013 1:52 PM

News

Joel Ward will not play Saturday night against Boston.

Washington Post

Impact

He is still recovering from a knee contusion. The Caps are hoping he will be ready for the playoff opener Tuesday night.

Joel Ward might be back for playoffs | 04/26/2013 4:01 PM

News

Joel Ward (knee) skated with his teammates on Friday.

CSN Washington

Impact

"I think today might have been my best day so far," Ward said. "It felt good. I got a chance to get in a few stops and starts that gave me trouble in the past. It's moving along. I've got some more cranking out to do but other than that a positive day." He might be ready for the Capitals' playoff opener.

Joel Ward (knee) practices Thursday | 04/25/2013 11:27 AM

News

Joel Ward (knee) participated in Thursday's morning skate, but he won't play against Ottawa.

Washington Times

Impact

He is expected to miss his eighth straight game with a bruised left knee, but he finally appears to be making some progress which bodes well for his chances of returning for the playoffs.

Joel Ward (knee) returns to the ice Wednesday | 04/24/2013 12:28 PM

News

Joel Ward skated for the first time at the team's practice facility Wednesday morning since suffering a knee injury on April 7.

Washington Post

Impact

He has sat out Washington's last seven games after blocking a shot by Tampa Bay defenseman Sami Salo and suffering a knee contusion. It's not clear if Ward will play before the end of the regular season, but he may be on track to suit up when the playoffs begin.

Joel Ward miss Monday's practice | 04/22/2013 11:29 AM

News

Joel Ward (knee) didn't practice on Monday.

CSN Washington

Impact

Ward might not be able to return before the end of the regular season. He has eight goals and 20 points in 39 games this season.

Joel Ward out Saturday | 04/20/2013 1:11 PM

News

Joel Ward (knee) will not play Saturday against the Canadiens.

Katie Carrera Twitter

Impact

He didn't even make the trip to Montreal. It is difficult to say whether Ward will play again before the end of the regular season.

Joel Ward skates, appears far from return | 04/12/2013 2:17 PM

News

Joel Ward skated for the first time since suffering a knee contusion, the Washington Post reports.

Katie Carrera

Impact

It didn't seem like Ward seemed to fluid or comfortable in his movements, however, according to Katie Carrrera's observations. It seems plausible that he'll miss at least a few more games, if not the remainder of the regular season.

Joel Ward not skating due to knee contusion | 04/11/2013 12:16 PM

News

Joel Ward hasn't resumed skating since suffering a knee contusion on April 7 against the Tampa Bay Lightning when he blocked a shot.

Washington Post

Impact

"He's obviously still in some pain. We're going to try and have him skate as soon as possible," coach Adam Oates said. "The bruising's pretty severe, so as soon as it gets out of there, some swelling in the knee area because of the bruise. Contusion." He won't play Thursday night.

Joel Ward (knee) hasn't resumed skating | 04/10/2013 2:31 PM

News

Joel Ward's knee injury appears to be more serious than coach Adam Oates originally thought.

Washington Post

Impact

"Yeah he's hurting pretty good," Oates said. "We're not quite sure how long it's going to be he has not skated yet." Ward was injured on Sunday when he blocked a shot from Tampa Bay defenseman Sami Salo.

Joel Ward won't be in lineup Tuesday night | 04/09/2013 12:58 PM

News

Joel Ward (knee) won't play Tuesday night.

Arpon Basu on Twitter

Impact

Ward was injured during Sunday's game against Tampa Bay. Coach Adam Oates said the injury wasn't serious at the time but it's possible the knee may have swelled up between now and Sunday night. Sideline him for now.

Joel Ward (knee) uncertain for Tuesday | 04/09/2013 10:15 AM

News

Joel Ward took a Sami Salo slap shot to his knee in Sunday's win over Tampa Bay.

Washington Post

Impact

Coach Adam Oates said after the game that the ailment, which caused Ward to leave the game, wasn't serious. Ward had a goal and an assist in the match. His status for Tuesday's game is unclear at this time.

Joel Ward gets two points Sunday | 04/08/2013 11:00 AM

News

Joel Ward had a goal and an assist on Sunday.

CSN Washington

Impact

Ward has eight goals and 20 points in 39 games this season. That makes this one of his best campaigns, although most of that production came in the early portion of the season. He has just seven points in his last 20 contests.

Joel Ward pots sixth goal in 4-1 loss | 02/27/2013 11:17 PM

News

Joel Ward potted a goal in the Capitals' 4-1 loss to the Flyers on Wednesday night.

Rotoworld.com

Impact

Ward "salvaged" a pretty lackluster night from his teammates with a goal in the closing minutes. The winger has played very well this season, with six goals and 13 points. Tom Poti and Jay Beagle had the assists. Alex Ovechkin had a game-high six shots on goal, two penalty minutes and a minus-one rating.

Joel Ward earns two points in Sunday's win | 01/28/2013 2:07 PM

News

Joel Ward had a goal and an assist to help Washington get their first win of the 2013 campaign on Sunday.

Washington Post

Impact

Ward has five points in five games this season, which is impressive when you consider that he put up just 18 points in 73 games during his first year with the Capitals last season.